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Actors Choi Min-shik and Song Kang-ho have ultimately accepted
an apology from film director Kang Woo-suk. The two faxed their
written statement regarding Kang`s apology to various media organs
on June 30 after a long discussion, saying they had accepted Kang`s
apology. The statement brought to an end the conflict between Kang
and the two actors stirred by Kang`s recent public disclosure of
Choi and Song`s names.

"First of all, we apologize to the public and everyone in
the movie industry for the disturbance. Rather than place the blame
on one person for the commotion caused by Mr. Kang`s remark and
the disclosure of our names, we hope that this incident will not
undermine the efforts of everyone working hard for the prosperity
of Korean movies, and we ask for your understanding," said
Choi and Song in their statement.

"Although Mr. Kang`s apology that he sent to us, our associates
and the media is far from sufficient to mend the damage, we have
decided to accept it as a sign of his willingness to cope with this
serious situation, albeit belatedly," read the statement.

"Our damaged reputations as actors will remain in viewers`
memories for a long time, but we are willing to listen to your opinions
if we can in any way contribute to the development of Korean movies.
We will consider this incident as an opportunity to become closer
to the public," added Choi and Song.

Choi and Song demanded an apology from Kang at a press conference
on June 29 for mentioning their names when saying that excessive
compensation given to actors only damages Korean movies. Kang apologized
to the two actors on the evening of the same day in a letter that
he sent to the media. In his message, Kang wrote that he regretted
that the two actors` reputations as public figures were stained
by his inadvertent mentioning of their names, and that he sincerely
apologized, although he realized one letter would not be enough
to make up for the damage.